Ray Lewis Denies Using It, But What the Heck is Deer Antler Spray Anyway?

Baltimore Ravens star Ray Lewis has dismissed claims that he requested or used the performance-enhancing drug (PED) deer antler spray (AKA deer antler velvet) to quickly heal his torn tricep. However, many people are in the dark as to what exactly deer antler spray even is.

According to International Business Times, deer antler spray contains a substance called Insulin-like Growth Factor-1, or IGF-1, that's been banned by the NFL. Lewis has been accused of using the substance in both spray and pill form.

But what is IGF-1 exactly?

IGF1plus.com, which touts itself as an authority on deer antler spray, houses myriad information on the substance, including links to where it can be purchased. The website lists elements that deer antler velvet contains, which includes: